a cluster of terracotta-tiled pyramidal houses envelopes kindergarten in italy

"The project reinterprets the spatial logic of a village, organizing classrooms around open courtyards that function as transitional and collective spaces. The design draws from the archetype of the Casone Veneto, the vernacular rural dwelling traditionally used by farmers and fishermen in the Veneto region."

"At the base, a pigmented concrete bench traces the perimeter of the structure. This element mediates between architecture and landscape, operating simultaneously as seating, threshold, and informal gathering space. It establishes a gradual transition between interior learning environments and exterior play areas."

"Each classroom extends outward into a protected outdoor patio, creating semi-enclosed spaces for open-air learning. Inwardly, the classrooms orient toward a central shared space conceived as an internal agora. This collective zone supports informal interaction and visual continuity across the plan."

Kinder Rain, designed by AACM, reimagines kindergarten architecture through a village-like spatial organization. Three classroom volumes with pitched roofs reference the Casone Veneto, a traditional Veneto rural dwelling, creating a cohesive terracotta-clad ensemble. Classrooms surround open courtyards functioning as transitional collective spaces. Each classroom extends into protected outdoor patios for open-air learning, while an internal central space serves as a shared gathering area. A pigmented concrete bench traces the perimeter, mediating between architecture and landscape. The design balances solids and voids, with sightlines connecting classrooms, patios, and gardens. Natural light enters through a zenithal skylight, marking time across textured wooden ceilings.

Read at designboom | architecture & design magazine